Last updated: 1 July 2026
1. Introduction
1.1. This Privacy Policy explains how Pushkin Online School ("the School", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects personal data when you use the website https://pushkin.online and related services (together, the "Platform").
1.2. This Policy applies to Students, Parents of Students under 18, Teachers, and visitors to the Platform. Capitalised terms not defined here have the meaning given in our Terms and Conditions.
1.3. The School is the controller of the personal data described in this Policy, meaning we decide why and how it is processed.
1.4. If you have any questions about this Policy or your personal data, contact us at [email protected].
2. Personal Data We Collect
2.1. Data you give us
| Category | Examples | From whom |
|---|---|---|
| Account data | Name, email address, password, country, time zone, preferred language | Students, Parents, Teachers |
| Student profile | Age or date of birth, Russian language level, learning goals, schedule preferences | Students, Parents |
| Parent data | Name, email, phone number, relationship to the Student | Parents |
| Teacher profile | Name, photo, education, qualifications, teaching experience, CV, identity and qualification documents provided for verification | Teachers |
| Teacher payout data | Bank or payment details, tax status, tax identification number | Teachers |
| Communications | Messages to the School or between Users through the Platform, support requests, feedback, reviews | All Users |
| Learning data | Lesson attendance, homework, test results, progress notes, Teacher feedback | Students, Teachers |
2.2. Data collected automatically
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and approximate location derived from the IP address.
- Usage data: pages visited, actions taken on the Platform, dates and times of access.
- Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 9.
2.3. Data from third parties
- Payment providers (Stripe and TipTopPay): confirmation of payment, transaction ID, payment status, the last four digits and type of the card, and billing country. We never receive or store full card numbers.
- Video-conferencing providers (Zoom and Google Meet): where relevant, meeting identifiers and attendance information.
2.4. Lesson recordings
Lessons are not recorded by default. A Lesson may be recorded only with the prior consent of all participants and, for Students under 18, of their Parent (see Section 13 of the Terms and Conditions).
3. How and Why We Use Personal Data
| Purpose | Data used | Legal basis* |
|---|---|---|
| Creating and managing accounts | Account data, Student and Parent data | Performance of a contract |
| Matching Students with Teachers and forming groups | Student profile, Teacher profile | Performance of a contract |
| Scheduling and delivering Lessons via Zoom and Google Meet | Account data, Student profile, Learning data | Performance of a contract |
| Processing payments and refunds | Account data, payment data | Performance of a contract; legal obligation |
| Paying Teachers | Teacher payout data | Performance of a contract; legal obligation |
| Selecting and verifying Teachers | Teacher profile and verification documents | Legitimate interests (Student safety and quality); performance of a contract |
| Providing Methodological Support to Teachers | Teacher profile, Learning data | Performance of a contract (Teacher Terms) |
| Customer support and communication about Courses | Account data, Communications | Performance of a contract; legitimate interests |
| Safeguarding Students under 18 and investigating complaints | Communications, Learning data, Account data | Legitimate interests; legal obligation |
| Enforcing our Terms, including non-circumvention | Communications, usage data | Legitimate interests |
| Improving the Platform and Courses | Usage data, feedback (aggregated where possible) | Legitimate interests |
| Marketing emails about new Courses and offers | Email address | Consent (you can withdraw it at any time) |
| Accounting, tax, and legal compliance | Payment and payout data | Legal obligation |
4. Children's Data
4.1. The Platform is intended for Students aged 10 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data of children under 10. If we learn that we have done so, we will delete it.
4.2. Accounts for Students aged 10–17 are created and managed by a Parent. We collect a minor's personal data only through the Parent and with the Parent's consent where the law requires it.
4.3. We collect only the minimum data about minors needed to provide Courses: name, age, language level, learning goals, schedule, and learning progress.
4.4. Teachers receive only the data about a minor Student that they need to teach, and must not contact minor Students through private channels without the Parent's knowledge.
4.5. Parents may at any time review, correct, or request deletion of their child's personal data by contacting [email protected].
5. Who We Share Personal Data With
We do not sell personal data. We share it only as follows:
5.1. Teachers. Because the School brings Students together with independent Teachers, we share with the assigned Teacher the Student data needed to prepare and deliver Lessons (name, level, goals, schedule, learning progress). Teachers are independent contractors and are bound by the Teacher Terms to use this data only for teaching on the Platform and to keep it confidential.
5.2. Students and Parents. We share Teachers' profile information (name, photo, qualifications, experience) with Students and Parents so they can learn about their Teacher.
5.3. Other Students in a Group Course. Participants in a Group Course can see each other's name and, during Lessons, image and voice.
5.4. Service providers that process data on our behalf, including:
- Stripe and TipTopPay — payment processing;
- Zoom and Google (Google Meet) — online Lessons;
- providers of hosting, email, customer support, and analytics services.
These providers may only use personal data to provide services to us and must protect it appropriately.
5.5. Authorities and advisers. Where required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of Users, the School, or others, including in safeguarding matters; and to our professional advisers (lawyers, accountants, auditors) under duties of confidentiality.
5.6. Business transfers. If the School is reorganised, merged, or sold, personal data may be transferred to the successor, who will remain bound by this Policy.
6. International Data Transfers
6.1. Students, Teachers, and our service providers are located in different countries. As a result, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including countries that may not offer the same level of data protection.
6.2. Where required by applicable law, we protect such transfers with appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the relevant authorities, or by relying on your consent or on the transfer being necessary to perform our contract with you.
7. How Long We Keep Personal Data
| Data | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Account, profile, and learning data | While the account is active and for up to 3 years after it is closed, to handle questions, complaints, and legal claims |
| Payment, payout, and accounting records | As long as required by tax and accounting laws (usually 5–7 years) |
| Teacher verification documents | While the Teacher works through the Platform and for up to 3 years afterwards |
| Communications and support requests | Up to 3 years after the last contact |
| Lesson recordings (if any) | No longer than 90 days, unless needed to resolve a complaint |
| Marketing consent records | Until consent is withdrawn, plus the period needed to prove consent |
| Data related to safeguarding concerns | As long as necessary to protect Students and comply with the law |
When data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it.
8. How We Protect Personal Data
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), restricted access on a need-to-know basis, secure password storage, and the use of reputable service providers. Card payments are handled entirely by Stripe and TipTopPay. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your data and will notify you and the relevant authorities of a data breach where the law requires it.
9. Cookies
9.1. The Platform uses cookies and similar technologies:
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Strictly necessary cookies — to keep you logged in, remember your settings, and keep the Platform secure. These cannot be switched off.
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Analytics cookies — to understand how the Platform is used and improve it.
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Marketing cookies — to measure the effectiveness of our advertising.
9.2. Where the law requires it, we use analytics and marketing cookies only with your consent, which you can give or withdraw through the cookie banner or your browser settings.
10. Your Rights
10.1. Depending on the law that applies to you, you may have the right to:
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access the personal data we hold about you;
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correct inaccurate or incomplete data;
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delete your data;
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restrict or object to certain processing, including processing based on legitimate interests;
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data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format;
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withdraw consent at any time, without affecting processing carried out before withdrawal;
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opt out of marketing at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" in our emails;
-
lodge a complaint with the data protection authority in your country of residence.
10.2. To exercise your rights, email [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before responding. We will respond within the period required by applicable law, and in any case within 30 days.
10.3. Some data cannot be deleted immediately if we must keep it by law (for example, payment records) or to establish or defend legal claims.
11. Automated Decision-Making
We do not make decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you based solely on automated processing. Matching of Students and Teachers is carried out or reviewed by the School's staff.
12. Third-Party Links and Services
The Platform may link to third-party websites and services, including Zoom, Google Meet, Stripe, and TipTopPay. Their handling of your data is governed by their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to read.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or on the Platform before they take effect. The date at the top of this Policy shows when it was last updated.
14. Contact
Pushkin Online School Website: https://pushkin.online Email: [email protected]